Exercise device

ABSTRACT

An exercise device comprising a moveable frame, a control grip and wheel means, in which the control grip is carried on the frame, in which the frame is mounted for movement on the wheel means, and in which the wheel means is moveable along a first line of direction and along at least one further line of direction.

This invention relates to an exercise device, for use particularly, butnot exclusively to perform press-ups and other similar exercises.

Bodyweight exercises like press-ups, squats, sit ups and so on utilisethe user's own weight as resistance. Traditionally such exercisesinvolve movement against a static surface, for example the floor in apress-up. This provides stability and allows particular muscle groups tobe exercised in relative safety. However, it also limits the potentialeffectiveness of the exercise.

It is now known that if a degree of instability is introduced to suchbodyweight exercises, then further muscles are exercised in a beneficialway as the subject attempts to maintain their stability. In particularthe so-called “core” muscles of the torso and back, such as thetransverse abdominals and the multifidi, are used by the subject tomaintain their balance and keep good body form as they try to controlthe instability through each repetition of the exercise.

For example, it is known to provide press-up handles which comprise afreedom of movement of some kind. In one example the handles can rotateon an axis normal to their longitudinal length. This allows a users torotationally adjust their hand position through a repetition of anexercise, which movement is inherently unstable and thereforebeneficial. In other examples flat platforms are provided with castorwheels so they can move in any direction, and can be used in a multitudeof different exercise and stretches involving the hands or feet.

However, these devices are fairly limited in their application becausethey can only be used for particular exercises, and because they onlyprovide one type of instability. The present invention is intended toovercome some of these problems and to provide a novel approach.

Therefore, according to a first aspect of the present invention anexercise device comprises a moveable frame, a control grip and wheelmeans, in which the control grip is carried on the frame, in which theframe is mounted for movement on the wheel means, and in which the wheelmeans is moveable along a first line of direction and along at least onefurther line of direction.

Thus, the present invention provides a device with a grip to providegood purchase, for example when the device is used for press-ups, andwhich provides instability in at least two directions. This latterfeature creates a particularly beneficial compound increase ininstability over prior art examples, and the user has to use their coremuscles to compensate for a variety of different movements andcombination of movements made by the device in use.

Wheel means which are moveable along a plurality of different lines ofdirection could comprise castor wheels or ball wheels. However, castorwheels do not provide smooth changes of direction, and in particularthey can provide sudden movements as the wheel rotates on a radial axisthereof, and then begins to roll on a main axis thereof. Castor wheelsalso require a supporting structure which adds complexity and cost. Ballwheels provide smooth changes of direction, but they also require arobust supporting structure.

Therefore, in a preferred embodiment of the invention the wheel meanscan comprise two wheel members arranged parallel with one another andspaced apart on a common first axis of rotation thereof (being therolling axis), and each wheel member can comprise a rim and a pluralityof roller members mounted along the rim with axes of rotation thereofnormal to the first axis of rotation of the wheel member.

Wheels of this kind are known from robotics and other similar technicalfields, and are referred to as omni wheels or poly wheels. A typicalexample is manufactured by the company Andy Mark®. Such wheels have arolling axis through which they usually provide propulsion, but can alsobe rolled sideways by virtue of their rim mounted rollers. In roboticvehicles this feature allows orthogonally mounted sets of omni wheels toprovide propulsion in any direction.

With the configuration of the present invention, with two such omniwheels arranged parallel and spaced apart, the frame can move in amultitude of different ways and provide an advantageous level ofunpredictable instability to the exercise device. Firstly, if the wheelmembers both roll on their rolling axes (the first axis of rotation) inthe same direction then the device moves in a straight line, along theabove referred to first line of direction. Secondly, if the wheelmembers both roll sideways on their lowermost rim mounted roller, thenthe device moves in a straight line normal to the first line ofdirection. Thirdly, with the two wheel members spaced apart, if onerolls on its rolling axis in one direction, and the other rolls on itsrolling axis in the opposite direction, then the device will rotate onan upright axis equidistant between the wheel members and normal to therolling axis of the wheel members. Finally, any one of these movementscan occur simultaneously with any other, so the control grip can move instraight or curved lines in any direction, while also rotating on itsown axis.

The frame can be any structure which can carry the control grip and bemounted on wheels, for example a box-frame or the like with the controlgrip carried at the top thereof, and the wheel members at the bottomthereof. However, in a preferred construction the frame can comprise abar and the two wheel members can be mounted at opposite first andsecond ends of the bar, with the bar being rotationally fixed to thewheel members.

With this construction the exercise device has a dumbbell shape familiarto those who use free weights, which may be convenient for storage,transportation and so on. However, it is not intended to use theexercise device in the manner of a dumbbell, as it would not be ofsufficient weight to be of any practical use.

The control grip can comprise a sleeve mounted over the bar and betweenthe two wheel members, which sleeve is freely rotatable in relation tothe bar. This arrangement introduces yet further instability into thedevice, because it allows for the wheel members to roll freely on theirrolling axes while the device is being held in use.

One or more roller bearings can be provided between the sleeve and thebar. This configuration provides a smooth rotational movement, andensures that the sleeve is provided with sufficient support.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the wheel means can comprisefour wheel members like those described above, which four wheel memberscan be formed into two parallel pairs, which pairs can be arrangedparallel with one another and spaced apart on the common first axis ofrotation thereof. In other words, each end of the exercise devicecomprises two omni wheels. This structure provides greater strength andrigidity to the exercise device, allowing it to be safely used byanyone.

The exercise device can be used to perform many difference exercises orstretches. In the first instance the control grip can be gripped by auser's hand or hands, and repetitious exercises like press-upsperformed. If one exercise device is used the user can place both handson the control grip, place the device on the ground, and performmovements utilising the user's own weight as resistance. If two exercisedevices are used, the user can grip one in each hand, place them on theground, and then perform press-up type exercises. All kinds ofvariations of this theme are possible.

However, in a further enhancement of the invention, it can be providedwith additional features to allow for it to be affixed to a user's feet,so further exercise moves can be performed. Therefore, in one version ofthe invention, the exercise device can further comprise a foot plateremovably mounted to the control grip.

With such a foot plate a user can affix the exercise device to theirfeet, place it on the ground, and perform leg movements utilising theuser's own weight as resistance. Such movements could be stride based,split based or be based on other types of single leg or both legsmotions.

The foot plate can comprise a support platform with a C-clip disposed onan underside thereof and adapted to removably rest on the control grip.Here, with the exercise device placed on the ground the support platformcan simply sit on top of the control grip, and gravity or the user'sweight is used to keep the components in contact with one another.

In one version a toe clip can be provided on a top side of the supportplatform, the toe clip facing in an opposite direction to the C-clip.Alternatively, a heel support can be provided on a top side of thesupport platform, the heel support facing in an opposite direction tothe C-clip. These two different arrangements provide greater flexibilityand allow the user to perform even more possible exercises. Two of onekind of foot plate can be used simultaneously, or different kinds can beused on each of the user's feet.

Given the above variations it will be appreciated that the invention canalso be defined in terms of a kit of parts, which could include one ormore foot plates as described above.

Therefore, according to a second aspect of the present invention, a kitof parts comprises one or more exercise devices, each comprising amoveable frame, a control grip and wheel means, in which the controlgrip is carried on the frame, in which the frame is mounted for movementon the wheel means, and in which the wheel means is moveable along afirst line of direction and along at least one further line ofdirection, and one or more foot plates comprising a support platformwith a C-clip disposed on an underside thereof and adapted to removablyrest on the control grip.

The invention can be performed various ways, but one embodiment will nowbe described by way of example, and with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an end view of an exercise device according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the exercise device as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of some parts of the exercisedevice as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a first foot plate for usewith the exercise device as shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a second foot plate for usewith the exercise device as shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 an exercise device 1 comprises a moveableframe, in the form of bar 2, a control grip 3 and wheel means, in theform of four omni wheels 4. The control grip 3 is carried on the frame2, and as explained further below the frame 2 is mounted for movement onthe wheel means 4, which are moveable along a first line of directionA-A and along at least one further line of direction, for example B-B.

As shown in FIG. 3, the frame comprises a steel bar 2, with a spacersleeve 5 mounted centrally thereon. On either side of the spacer sleeve5 are mounted roller bearings 6 (shown in an exploded position). Outsidethe roller bearings 6 are provided support brackets 7 and 8 (only onepair of which are shown), and outside the support brackets 7 and 8 areprovided end caps 9 (only one of which is shown).

The control grip 3 comprises sleeve 10 (shown in an exploded position),which is carried on the roller bearings 6, so as to provide freerotational movement between the sleeve 10 and the bar 2. The sleeve 10is made from a resilient non-slip material suitable for use inexercising. The support brackets 7 and 8 are identical and comprisesleeves 11 with end flanges 12, and the brackets 7 and 8 are arranged inan opposed configuration. The brackets 7 and 8 provide support for theomni wheels 4, with the flanges 12 thereof preventing axial movementthereof on the bar 2. The end caps 9 affix to the opposite first 13 andsecond 14 ends of the bar 2, and hold the support brackets 7 and 8, theroller bearings 6 and the spacer sleeve 5 in place. The end caps 9 areremovable to allow the above components to be dismantled.

Referring to FIG. 2, this shows how the wheel members 4 are mounted atthe opposite first 13 and second 14 ends of the bar 2. The wheel members4 are formed into two parallel pairs 15 and 16, which pairs 15 and 16are arranged parallel with one another and spaced apart on a commonfirst axis of rotation thereof I-I (being the rolling axis of the wheelmembers 4). The wheel members 4 are rotationally fixed to the supportbrackets 7 and 8, which are themselves rotationally fixed to the bar 2.

Each wheel member 4 comprises a rim 17 and eighteen roller members 18mounted equidistant along the rim 17, with axes of rotation thereofnormal to the first axis of rotation I-I of the wheel member 4.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, these show foot plates 19 which can beremovably mounted to the control grip 3. These comprise a supportplatform 20 with a C-clip 21 disposed on an underside 22 thereof, andadapted to removably rest on the control grip 3. In the version shown inFIG. 4 a toe clip 23 (shown in an exploded position) is provided on atop side 24 of the support platform 20, the toe clip 23 facing in anopposite direction to the C-clip 21. The toe clip 23 is like that foundon a bicycle pedal, and comprises a shoe gripping frame 24, with aflexible tightening strap 25. The strap 25 is threaded through apertures26 and 27 on the support platform 20, so when it is shortened a user'sshoe is secured in the frame 24. In the version shown in FIG. 5 a heelpad 28 (shown in an exploded position) is provided on the top side 24,facing in an opposite direction to the C-clip 21. A flexible tighteningstrap 29 is provided on the support platform 20, threaded throughapertures 26 and 27, so a user's shoe or foot can be secured in place onthe support platform 20.

In use the exercise device 1 operates as follows. In the first instancethe control grip 3 can be gripped by a user's hand or hands, andrepetitious exercises like press-ups performed. If one exercise device 1is used the user can place both hands on the control grip 3, place thedevice on the ground, and perform movements utilising the user's ownweight as resistance, for example keeping the feet on the ground andhinging the body at the shoulders or hips. If two exercise devices 1 areused, the user can grip one in each hand, place them on the ground, andthen perform press-up type exercises. All kinds of variations of thistheme are possible.

With the configuration of the omni wheels 4 arranged in two spaced apartparallel pairs 15 and 16, the frame 2 can move in a multitude ofdifferent ways when performing exercise like those described above, andthereby provide an advantageous level of unpredictable instability.Firstly, if the pairs of wheel members 15 and 16 both roll on theirrolling axes I-I in the same direction along line A-A, then the device 1moves in a straight line. Secondly, if the wheel member 4 all rollsideways on their lowermost rim mounted roller 18, then the device 1moves along line B-B, which is normal to line A-A. Thirdly, with the twopairs 15 and 16 of wheel members 4 spaced apart, if one pair 15 rolls onits rolling axis I-I in one direction, and the other pair 16 rolls onits rolling axis I-I in the opposite direction, then the device 1 willrotate on a upright axis equidistant between the pairs 15 and 16 ofwheel members 4. Finally, any one of these movements can occursimultaneously with any other, so the control grip 3 can move instraight or curved lines in any direction as a factor of lines A-A andB-B, while also rotating on its own axis III-III.

As the control grip 3 is freely rotatable in relation to the bar 2, theuser has limited control over the position and movement of the device 1,which introduces further beneficial instability. At the same time, thisarrangement also allows the user to maintain a substantially consistentgrip position as the device 1 moves around, which improves usability.

All this unpredictable instability means that when a user performspress-up type exercise or similar, they are forced to not only use themuscles they would normally use to perform such an exercise, but alsothe core muscles of the torso and back as they try to maintain controlof their stance and position.

If desired a foot plate 19 can be applied to the control grip 3 asdescribed above. A user can place their foot on the foot plate 19 eithertoe down or toe up, according to which arrangement of foot plate 19 isused, and then secure it in place using the strap 25 or 29. Two footplates 19 of the same kind can be used with two devices 1, or twodifferent foot plates 19 can be used with two devices 1, according tothe exercise to be performed. Such movements could be stride based,split based or be based on other types of single leg or both legsmotions.

As referred to above, the invention also includes a kit of parts. Thecomponents shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 provide clear support for such a kit ofparts.

The invention can be altered without departing from the scope of claim1. For example, in alternative embodiments (not shown), the wheel meanscomprise castor wheels or ball wheels.

In another alternative embodiment (not shown) the frame comprises abox-frame with the control grip carried at the top thereof, and thewheel members at the bottom thereof.

In a final alternative embodiment the device can comprise just one omniwheel type wheel member at each end of the frame, rather than a pair.

Therefore, the invention provides an exercise device which can be usedto facilitate a multitude of different bodyweight exercises, all ofwhich benefit from enforced use of the core muscles of the torso andback by virtue of the high degree of unstable movement inherent in thedevice.

1.-13. (canceled)
 14. An exercise device comprising a moveable frame, acontrol grip and wheel device, in which the control grip is carried onthe frame, in which the frame is mounted for movement on the wheeldevice, and in which the wheel device is moveable along a first line ofdirection and along at least one further line of direction.
 15. Anexercise device as claimed in claim 14 in which the wheel devicecomprises two wheel members arranged parallel with one another andspaced apart on a common first axis of rotation thereof, in which eachwheel member comprises a rim and a plurality of roller members mountedalong the rim with axes of rotation thereof normal to the first axis ofrotation of the wheel member.
 16. An exercise device as claimed in claim15 in which the frame comprises a bar, in which the two wheel membersare mounted at opposite first and second ends of the bar, and in whichthe bar is rotationally fixed to the wheel members.
 17. An exercisedevice as claimed in claim 16 in which the control grip comprises asleeve mounted over the bar and between the two wheel members, and inwhich the sleeve is freely rotatable in relation to the bar.
 18. Anexercise device as claimed in claim 17 in which one or more rollerbearings are provided between the sleeve and the bar.
 19. An exercisedevice as claimed in claim 15 in which the wheel device comprises fourwheel members as claimed in claim 15, which four wheel members areformed into two parallel pairs, which pairs are arranged parallel withone another and spaced apart on the common first axis of rotationthereof.
 20. An exercise device as claimed in claim 14 in which theexercise device further comprises a foot plate removably mounted to thecontrol grip.
 21. An exercise device as claimed in claim 20 in which thefoot plate comprises a support platform with a C-clip disposed on anunderside thereof and adapted to removably rest on the control grip. 22.An exercise device as claimed in claim 21 in which a toe clip isprovided on a top side of the support platform, the toe clip facing inan opposite direction to the C-clip.
 23. An exercise device as claimedin claim 21 in which a heel support is provided on a top side of thesupport platform, the heel support facing in an opposite direction tothe C-clip.
 24. An exercise device as claimed in claim 18 in which thewheel device comprises four wheel members as claimed in claim 15, whichfour wheel members are formed into two parallel pairs, which pairs arearranged parallel with one another and spaced apart on the common firstaxis of rotation thereof.
 25. An exercise device as claimed in claim 19in which the exercise device further comprises a foot plate removablymounted to the control grip.
 26. A kit of parts comprising one or moreexercise devices, each comprising a moveable frame, a control grip andwheel device, in which the control grip is carried on the frame, inwhich the frame is mounted for movement on the wheel device, and inwhich the wheel device is moveable along a first line of direction andalong at least one further line of direction, and one or more footplates comprising a support platform with a C-clip disposed on anunderside thereof and adapted to removably rest on the control grip.